It’s not too late to join The Hazean’s Fantasy Playoff Challenge. To sweeten the pot a little bit The Hazean will give away a free movie DVD not to exceed $20 of the winner’s choice if the group reaches 30 members. The league size is approaching 30, so make sure to tell your friends, family and league mates!

See that pretty blue link up there? Click on it and sign up for our fantasy playoff league. You can compete against The Hazean and other readers for a chance to win a free DVD of your choice.

For those of you already in the fantasy playoff league, thanks for joining. Here are some players to start/sit in this weekend’s slate of playoff games.

Start ‘em: Going old school at quarterback with Kurt Warner and Peyton Manning. I like Donovan McNabb a little, too. Le’Ron McClain is a nice sleeper-ish pick for fantasy playoff leagues. Michael Turner is a no-brainer. Larry Fitzgerald, too. I also like Roddy White in what could be a high-scoring affair in the desert. While Antonio Gates and Dallas Clark are safe bets, Visanthe Shiancoe is a nice, less expensive play.

Sit ‘em: Both of the quarterbacks — Joe Flacco and Chad Pennington — in the Ravens-Dolphins game. First team to 17 might win that one. I am not sold on LaDainian Tomlinson’s status for Saturday, so I would opt out of using him. Also avoiding Tim Hightower. Ted Ginn is a high-risk choice this weekend and with Anquan Boldin’s status up in the air I would avoid him as well. Todd Heap and both David Martin and Anthony Fasano, but only because it is difficult to project which one of those guys has the better day for Miami.

For more great fantasy roster advice this week, including a plethora of Start & Sit links and consensus rankings, head over to the Fantasy Football Librarian. Don’t forget to grab your library card.

With it being the holidays and all this will be an abbreviated version of Start & Sit for all you week 17ers out there. Hope Santa treated you well and brings you a late Christmas present in the form of a fantasy championship this weekend.

Start ‘em: AFC West quarterbacks not named JaMarcus Russell (so Rivers, Cutler and Thigpen for those of you who need more literal instructions). Seneca Wallace is a nice sleeper candidate. Now stud running backs Michael Turner and Matt Forte. Greg Jennings and Andre Johnson. Owen Daniels at tight end.

Sit ‘em: Brett Favre and his tired arm. Also Peyton Manning only because he may not play much. Is anyone still relying on Jamal Lewis? Hope not. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes for the same reasons as Manning. Antonio Bryant, because he goes up against a shut-down secondary. Anquan Boldin because he may be limited after missing last weekend. Jeremy Shockey because he may miss the action versus Carolina.

Here are today’s great reads:

• With the playoff picture due to clear up this weekend, Matt Cassel could be playing his last game in New England. [ProFootballTalk]
• Steve Smith always torches the Saints and this game could be a shootout with Drew Brees gunning for Dan Marion’s record. [Bruno Boys]
• Teams with playoff spots locked up could employ the services of their backup position players this weekend. [FF Toolbox]
• Pierre Thomas owners need to keep an eye on the now-banged up running back. [Canal Street Chronicles]
• Fantasy owners need to pay extra attention to where T.J. Houshmandzadeh ends up this offseason. [NFL GridIron Gab]

For more great reads, check out my Google Reader Shared Items page.

While there still are a few owners one win away from reaching championship weekend, the majority of fantasy footballers have reached the pinnacle of the season this weekend.

Fantasy championship weekend for most, week 16, is the culmination of a season-long struggle between luck, skill and timing. Like it or not, Lady Luck does play a nice little role in your team’s success. But that does not detract from the skill it took to assemble a winning roster and keep that team winning games, despite the obstacles. Finally, drawing the right match ups on the right weekends made all the difference between making the postseason and watching at home.

And now this weekend, fantasy owners have to make the toughest decisions of them all. Choosing the right starting lineup despite all the interference — injuries, playing time, weather — is much tougher now than back in week 1. But you would not have made it this deep into the season if these decisions made you quiver.

Trust your gut and believe in your instincts. And if it does not work out, at least your team had a chance to win it all. Continue reading →

Not just another Thursday night game kicks off tonight between the Colts and the Jaguars.

This game is the first football action in many fantasy championship games being played over the course of week 16. And being that there are a good number of fantasy stars between these two teams, many fantasy owners are heavily invested in tonight’s results.

Make sure to set your lineups prior to kickoff and follow along on NFL.com, and good luck tonight!

Start ‘em: Maurice Jones-Drew is a must-start against the Colts, with or without Bob Sanders in the lineup. Peyton Manning has turned his fantasy season around for the most part since his early struggles. Dallas Clark is questionable but a must start, especially after last weekend. Reggie Wayne has mostly disappointed, but remains Manning’s top target in the passing game. Anthony Gonzalez is a sneaky flex play tonight for deep leaguers that need a spark.

Sit ‘em: Marvin Harrison, who was ruled out from tonight’s game due to a hamstring issue. I would also sit Joseph Addai, who could return tonight but will likely split touches — at best — with Dominic Rhodes. David Garrard could have a rough go of it against a decent pass D, and none of Jacksonville’s receivers are even rosterable.

For more great fantasy roster advice this week, including a plethora of Start & Sit links and consensus rankings, head over to the Fantasy Football Librarian. Don’t forget to grab your library card.

I still do not like Marion Barber this weekend.

MBIII was able to do some light practicing yesterday and looks like a game-time decision on Sunday night against the Giants. But after Tashard Choice threw down some serious yardage against the Steelers last week, Barber could be back on the sidelines watching the rookie run.

I said a few weeks ago to avoid Barber in the fantasy playoffs. That call is less legitimate now because I was talking about a healthy Barber, not this hobbled, called-out-by-your-owner version.

Regardless of his health issues, Barber and the Cowboys face the Giants — trying to lock up home field advantage — and the Ravens — trying to catch the Steelers in the NFC North — the next two weekends. Those are terrible matchups for any fantasy player, especially a banged up running back.

I know there is a lot of Barber love out there among the Cowboys Nation and him getting injured undercuts my bold proclamation, but he still needs to be avoided by fantasy owners the next two weekends. But I guess only if you want to win your league. Continue reading →

If you made it to week 15 in your fantasy leagues, chances are you do not need a reminder to set your lineup for tonight’s game between the Saints and Bears on the NFL Network.

So consider this a non-reminder.

Both teams are fighting for their playoffs lives tonight in the Windy City. The Bears have dominated the Saints in the teams’ last two meetings in Chicago, and this Saints’ fan wants to know why New Orleans has to keep playing the Bears at Soldier Field. Are they not allowed to come to New Orleans or what?

What this means for fantasy owners is to expect a little less out of the Saints offense. While playing well in the friendly confines of the Superdome, Drew Brees and Co. have struggled a little bit on the road. But that certainly does not mean you bench Brees in a must-win game. Continue reading →

For most fantasy owners, playing a meaningful game in week 14 of the NFL regular season is the first step toward the ultimate goal — winning a league championship.

That first step now has arrived for those fantasy owners who qualified for the postseason. And now, more than ever, it is oh-so crucial to make the right roster decisions in order to progress toward that elusive league title.

Week 14 technically began with last night’s San Diego - Oakland game on Thursday Night Football. Hopefully, fantasy owners made the right decisions regarding their Chargers and/or Raiders and started the week off on the right foot.

If not, there still is time to play catch up. Fantasy owners who find themselves in a big hole after last night, albeit doubtful, may need to take some risks this weekend in order to overcome the deficit. Others in closer matchups can play it safe with the dependable, consistent fantasy players.

My advice? Pay close attention to injury statuses, inactive lists and weather updates on Sunday morning. Then go with your gut. Continue reading →

Being that week 14 is the first-round of the fantasy playoffs for most owners, it is super important to set starting lineups prior to tonight’s San Diego - Oakland game on the NFL Network.

So remember to do that.

Not that many playoff-bound fantasy teams are relying on players from the Raiders. The only one worth his salt in fantasy this season has been Zach Miller, although Darren McFadden and Justin Fargas have been coming on lately.

On the other side of the football, the Chargers dreadful season to date has to be one of the biggest disappointments in recent memory. San Diego came into 2008 stacked on offense with a talented linebacking and secondary corp on defense. Pretty sure that even Nostradamus would have been wrong about this team before the season started.

Hit the jump for start/sit advice for tonight’s game. Continue reading →

Sorry for the lack of a week 13 start and sit column on Friday. The holiday weekend took the wife and I to rural Eastern Shore Maryland and there was no high-speed internet access for miles. Yes, people still do use dial-up.

But I do have a few suggestions for you guys this morning.

Start these guys: If you have him on your bench and he has been out-performing your starter, it is time to start believing what Tyler Thigpen is doing and roll the dice on him. Thomas Jones should be in for a big day against everyone’s favorite punching bag, Denver. Roddy White and the Atlanta passing game also are a great play.

Sit these guys: Obviously, Plaxico Burress. I am benching Brandon Jacobs again this week because of what happened last week. Reggie Bush and Steven Jackson might give it a go, but coming off injury I do not expect much from either.

Here are today’s great reads:

• I hate to break it to you guys, but we fantasy footballers are in the minority. [RotoNation]
• With Reggie Bush hopefully on his way back today, it may be a good time to sit your Saints’ running backs. [Bruno Boys]
• Think the Chargers wish they could hop in a time machine and keep Michael Turner instead of LaDainian Tomlinson? [ProFootballTalk]
• This list of injured players is from Friday, so make sure to check up on their statuses throughout the morning today. [Roto Arcade]

For more great reads, check out my Google Reader Shared Items page.

If you have some great fantasy football related reads to share, email them to:

With only two regular season weeks to go in most fantasy football leagues, how many of you guys have playoff spots locked up?

Personally, I have a ticket to the postseason punched in two of my six leagues. My magic number is one in a few of the others, and I still have some work to do in a couple. But not being mathematically eliminated in any of the leagues is very exciting! I hope several of you are in the same predicament.

Back to the action on the real football field, there are a few key fantasy stars who may not see the field this weekend.

Cleveland’s Kellen Winslow injured his shoulder on what became the game-winning drive against Buffalo on Monday night. The team is calling it a shoulder sprain and Winslow has been been able to put in practice yet this week. Hopefully he will get in some limited action today and be ready to go on Sunday.

In New Orleans, Reggie Bush was expected by some to return last weekend, but the Saints opted to hold him out. At 5-5 with the season on the brink, the Saints absolutely need to defeat Green Bay, also 5-5, on Monday Night Football. I think this being as must-win a game as there is, Bush will suit up and play in the national spotlight.

Unfortunately for fantasy owners, however, Bush’s status might not be known until Monday. It would be in most owner’s best interest to bench Bush unless they also have Pierre Thomas on the roster. Continue reading →